JP4446910B2 - Book storage management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides a transport means for transporting a container for storing a plurality of articles between a reception unit that accepts rental return of the articles and a shelf for storing a plurality of the containers,
Management means for managing the lending and returning of the articles by executing the conveying operation of the conveying means while managing the storage position of each container stored in the shelf and the filling rate of the articles in each container is provided. The present invention relates to an article storage management system.

Such an article storage management system is designed to save labor for lending and returning articles while reducing the storage space by intensively storing a large number of articles on a shelf.
As a conventional example of such a system, a system for storing and managing books as articles is disclosed. In this book storage management system, it is proposed that each book is managed so as to be sorted according to size and stored in the container while managing the filling rate of the book in each container .

  In order to manage each book so that it can be sorted according to size and stored in the container while managing the filling rate of the book in each container, conventionally, as described in the above publication, the size of each book is manually input, While detecting the book filling rate of each container in the middle of transporting the container, search for a container with a low filling rate corresponding to the size of the book as a container for storing the returned book and transport it to the reception unit. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-285621

In the above prior art, since the books are stored in order from the container with the lowest filling rate, for example, it is not possible to select and efficiently store the empty space (filling rate) container that matches the amount of books to be stored. In addition, each container tends to have an intermediate filling rate, and as a result, it becomes difficult to form a full container that effectively uses the storage capacity, while the number of empty containers with a filling rate of 0 is small. Therefore, for example, when a large number of returned books are received at once, a small number of containers can be used as long as empty containers, but many containers with an intermediate filling rate can be conveyed many times. It was necessary to perform the storage work, and there was a possibility that the work efficiency would be reduced.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to appropriately specify a filling rate for a container for storing an article and appropriately store the article in a container having the specified filling rate. This is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

In order to achieve this object, the first feature configuration of the book storage management system according to the present invention stores a container for storing a plurality of books , a receiving unit for accepting rental return of books , and a plurality of the containers. Carrying out the conveying means while carrying out the conveying means for conveying between the shelves, the storage position of each container stored in the shelf and the filling rate of the books in each container, and lending the books In a library storage management system with management means for managing returns,
The book has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the container has at least one type of container of the same size , and the container has a plurality of types having different forms for storing the book, and the instructions provided in the reception unit Means for generating instruction information , designating a book filling rate and a container type, and instructing to carry out the container, wherein the management means matches each container type . while managing the filling rate of the book, on the basis of the said instruction information instructing means, a filling factor of the filling factor is specified books, and, a container of the type type container is designated the receiving unit It is in the point comprised so that the conveyance operation | movement of the said conveyance means may be controlled so that it may carry out.
Therefore, a container with a specified filling rate (empty space) of the book is transported to the reception unit. For example, a container with a filling rate that matches the amount of books to be received is specified, and the book is placed in the empty space of the container. As a result, if a container with a low filling rate is preferentially transported to the reception unit as in the conventional case, it is efficiently stored in a container with a filling rate that matches the amount of books to be stored. The problem of not being able to be solved can be solved appropriately.

The second characteristic feature of the library storage management system according to the present invention, in the first characterizing feature, the type of the container, in flat form sequentially stacking the type and book for housing in vertical form arrange books on vertical orientation There is a point that there is a type to store.
The third characteristic feature of the library storage management system according to the present invention, in the first characterizing feature, the type of the container, in flat form sequentially stacking the type and book for housing in vertical form arrange books on vertical orientation There is a type to store and a type to store books in a horizontally placed form in which books are arranged in a vertical orientation.
According to a fourth feature configuration of the book storage management system of the present invention, in the second or third feature configuration, the container of a type that stores books in a vertically placed form stores books in two rows in a vertical posture. In that point.

The fifth characteristic configuration of the library storage management system according to the present invention, in the first characterizing feature, the container has a small vial size than the large containers and large containers, on the type of the container, the the type of housing in vertical form arranged in two rows in large containers books in the vertical orientation, the type of housing in flat form sequentially stacked books on the large container, form books before Symbol small type vessel was placed the longitudinal There is a type that stores the books in the small container, a type that stores the books in the flat form, and a type that stores the books in a horizontal form in which the books are arranged in a row in a horizontal orientation in the small container. the type for accommodating at the vertical form books on the type and the large container for storing the books in the container in the horizontal form lies in is for storing the book of the same size.

The sixth feature configuration of the book storage management system according to the present invention is the fourth or fifth feature configuration, wherein the container of the type storing the books in a vertical orientation in which the books are arranged in two rows in a vertical posture is provided between the rows of books . The partition is set at the center of the container so as to be located at the center.

In a seventh feature configuration of the book storage management system according to the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth feature configurations, the management means identifies classification data of each container and a book stored in each container. Data and the size of each book are stored in association with each other, and based on the stored information, each book is managed to be stored in a container of a type corresponding to the size while managing the filling rate of the book of each container. is configured, and is configured to store in association with the size of the identification data and its books books on loan, the instruction means of the receiving unit, whether the normal warehousing or a free space designated warehousing specifying, and, in the case of the specified free space specified goods receipt is to specify the type of filling factor and containers books can instruct the unloading of the container, and, in the case of the normal specified goods receipt, identifying the book de Is configured to be able to enter the data, the management unit, based on the instruction information of the instruction means, in the case where the free space specified goods receipt is designated, a filling factor of the filling factor of the book are specified, And the empty space designation storage mode which controls the conveyance operation of the said conveyance means is performed so that the container which is the type of the container designated may be carried out to the said reception part, and the said normal warehouse is designated in this case, asking the size of the book based on the inputted identification data and storing information, a container of the type for storing the books the determined size, and the container filling rate of the book is not full It exists in the point comprised so that the normal warehousing mode which controls the action | operation of the said conveyance means may be performed so that it may carry out to a reception part.

An eighth feature configuration of the book storage management system according to the present invention is the seventh feature configuration, wherein the management means manages the height, width, and thickness as the size of the book , and in the normal warehousing mode. The container type is selected based on the larger one of the book height and width.

A ninth feature configuration of the book storage management system according to the present invention is the book storage management system according to any one of the first to eighth feature configurations, in which the management means specifies that the designated container is based on the instruction information of the instruction means. In the case where there are a plurality of containers, it is configured to control the conveying operation of the conveying means so that the container near the outlet side of the shelf is carried out to the receiving unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a reception unit K that accepts lending and returning books as articles, a shelf R that stores a plurality of containers Y for storing a plurality of books, and a size of a book are measured and input. Therefore, the container Y is transported between the work station S that also functions as a measurement unit provided at a location different from the reception unit K, between the reception unit K and the shelf R, and between the work station S and the shelf R. While managing the storage position of each container Y stored in the shelf R and the transporting means TP and the filling rate of the books in each container Y, the transporting operation of the transporting means TP is executed to manage lending and returning of books. A management unit P (see FIG. 12) is provided to configure a book storage management system for storing and managing books as articles.

  The book storage management system according to the present embodiment is a so-called closed-type book storage unit in which a book is transferred between a user and a librarian in the reception unit K, and the user can go in and out. It is assumed that the library is installed in a library that also has a so-called open-type book storage unit that stores books on shelves. That is, the shelf R and the work station S are installed in the basement of the building that constitutes the library, and the reception unit K is provided on the first floor of the building.

In the present embodiment, basically, A4, A5, B5, and B6 size books, A2 size newspapers, and other irregularly sized books are handled as books. Yes.
As the container Y, a plurality of types having different sizes are provided. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. There are two types, a large container YL and a small container YS, which are different in length H and have the same width W along the shelf depth direction. Each container Y is equipped with a barcode display BC for displaying a container number for sorting each container Y as a barcode. By the way, in this barcode display BC, the container number is described so as to be visible visually.
The large container YL basically stores A2 size newspapers (see FIG. 9 (A)) and A4 size and B5 size books (see FIG. 9 (B)). Basically, books of A5 size and B6 size (see FIGS. 10A and 10B) and other irregularly sized books (see FIG. 10C) are stored. .

For the books stored in each container Y, the above-described management of the filling rate, that is, the filling rate of the books in each container Y is managed. For this reason, the storage form of the books, newspapers, and books in each container Y is also defined, and the filling rate is managed. Specifically, in the large container YL, a flat placement mode (see FIG. 9A) in which newspapers are stacked and stored sequentially, or a vertical placement mode in which A4 and B5 books are arranged in two rows in a vertical position (FIG. 9). (See (b))), and in the small container YS, the A4 and B5 books are arranged in a single row in a horizontal orientation (see FIG. 10 (a)), and the A5 and B6 books are The vertical placement mode (see FIG. 10 (b)) arranged in two rows in the vertical orientation and the flat placement mode (see FIG. 10 (c)) in which books are sequentially stacked and stored are selected. Note that the partition M is set at the center of the container Y when the books are stored by selecting a vertically placed form in which the books are arranged in two rows in a vertical posture.
In each storage mode, a maximum dimension in the direction in which newspapers, books, and books are arranged, that is, a maximum dimension capable of storing a book, is set in advance, and a space obtained by sequentially subtracting the thickness of the book from the maximum dimension. The smaller the dimension, the higher the filling rate. In this embodiment, the empty dimension is referred to as an empty space.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 8, the shelf R includes storage portions corresponding to the containers YL and YS of a plurality of containers having different dimensions as described above. That is, a shelf RL as a storage for a large container that stores the large container YL and a shelf RS as a storage for a small container that stores the small container YS are provided.
Each of the shelf RL for the large container and the shelf RS for the small container includes a plurality of rack portions 1L and 1S provided with the storage portion 40 for the container Y in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction in the shelf depth direction. . A rack portion located between both ends of the plurality of rack portions 1L and 1S is configured to be movable in the shelf depth direction, and the movement path T of the stacker crane 2 is selectively between adjacent rack portions. To be formed. In addition, a traverser 3 for carrying the stacker crane 2 is provided so as to travel along one end of the shelf R. Although not shown in the drawings, the stacker crane 2 is provided with a single fork for transferring the container to and from the storage unit 40 of the shelf.
And the storage part 40 of the said rack parts 1L and 1S is comprised so that the container Y may be supported by 40 A of left-right paired container support parts, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the reception unit K is provided adjacent to the service counter K <b> 1 where the librarian delivers books with the user, and adjacent to the service counter K <b> 1. Service station T1, a reference counter K2, and a reference station T2 that is provided adjacent to the reference counter K2 and relays the books as well as the service station K2. .
The service counter K1 and the reference counter K2 can basically perform the same operation, but usually the service counter K1 is mainly used. The reference counter K2 and the reference station T2 are used when assistance is provided when the work amount of the service counter K1 is too large, or when the work is continued when maintenance work is performed on the service counter K1 and the service station T1. Is used.

  The transport means TP will be described. Corresponding to the work station S provided in the basement of the building, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a U-shaped work station forming conveyor 5 is installed, The stacker crane 2 transfers the container Y to the conveyor 5, that is, carries out the container Y. In addition, the traverser 3 is provided with a transfer conveyor 3A that receives containers Y transported from the conveyor 5 for forming the work station when the traverser 3 is positioned at a position corresponding to the work station S. The container Y is transferred to the transfer conveyor 3A, that is, the container Y is carried in.

  A high-speed lifter 6 for vertical conveyance is installed from the basement of the building toward the service station T1 on the first floor. As shown in FIG. 8, a conveyor 7 for entry into the shelf R and a conveyor 8 for delivery from the shelf R are installed at the upper and lower intermediate portions corresponding to the basement of the high-speed lifter 6. . The stacker crane 2 transfers the container Y to the warehousing conveyor 7 and the warehousing conveyor 8.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a conveyor 4 for forming a square-shaped service station is connected to a portion corresponding to the first floor of the high-speed lifter 6. The conveyor 4 includes a turn conveyor 4A that changes the direction of the container Y.

As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.8, the 1st relay conveyor 9 is provided in the part corresponding to the underground of the said high-speed lifter 6, and the upper end part. The first relay conveyor 9 includes a carry-out conveyor unit 9A and a carry-in conveyor unit 9B that transfer containers Y to and from the track-type transfer carriage 10.
The track-type transport cart 10 transports between a second relay conveyor 11 provided on the lower side of the reference station T <b> 2 and the first relay conveyor 9 connected to the high-speed lifter 6. Similarly to the first relay conveyor 9, the second relay conveyor 11 includes a carry-out conveyor unit 11 </ b> A and a carry-in conveyor unit 11 </ b> B that transfer containers Y to and from the track-type transport cart 10.
As shown in FIG. 4, a vertical transfer lifter 13 is installed between the second relay conveyor 11 and a reference station forming conveyor 12 provided corresponding to the reference station T2.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, the transport of books between the open book storage unit and the book storage unit of this closed type, between the service counter K1 and the service station T1. There are many hand-operated carts D used for transporting books in the library, such as transporting books in the library, transporting between the reference counter K2 and the reference station T2, and transporting books newly received in the library. Yes.

The management means P will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, a host controller P1 that manages library storage information and the like of the entire library and a system controller P2 that is installed in the basement of the building and manages the entire library storage management system can communicate with each other. The controller P1 and P2 constitute the management means P.
The host controller P1 includes a first terminal 21 installed at the service counter K1, a second terminal 22 installed at the reference counter K2, a third terminal 23 installed at the work station S, and a library management room. A number of terminals such as a fourth terminal 24 installed in the service terminal and a fifth terminal 25 installed on the service floor of the user are connected.

The fourth terminal 24 is used to input information related to a newly received book, such as the name of a book newly received in the library, to the host controller P1, and register it as a book managed in the library. In addition, an issuer 24A for issuing a barcode display B as a data display unit for displaying identification data (a book number in the present embodiment) for identifying the book to be stored is provided. On this bar code display B, the book number is displayed as a bar code, and in addition, the book number is described in a numerically visible manner. The issued bar code display B is attached to a book to be received by pasting or the like.
In addition, the book on which the barcode display B is mounted, that is, the book registered in the host controller P1 is conveyed to various places using the carriage D. And in the case of storage management in this closed storage part, it is conveyed to the underground work station S. The work at the work station S will be described later as “initial registration work”.

  The fifth terminal 25 is used for the purpose of searching for a book that the user wants to borrow, and receives a loan request form in which various information such as the name of the book and the book number for identifying the book are printed. A printer 25A for output is provided. This loan request is delivered to a librarian at the service counter K1 when borrowing a book stored in the closed-type storage unit.

  The first to third terminals 21 to 23 search the management information of the host controller P1 such as searching for books stored and managed in the library, the lending status of the books, etc., and lending or returning registered books. This is used to input various information to the host controller P1, such as information and information for removing registration of a registered book, and the first and second terminals 21 and 22 include A barcode reader BR that reads the attached barcode display B and a printer RT that outputs various types of information are provided.

  As with the first and second terminals, the system controller P2 retrieves or registers the management information of the host controller P1, such as retrieval of books stored and managed in the library and book lending status. It is also used for inputting various information to the host controller P1, such as information on lending and returning books, information on removing registration of registered books, etc., and the first and second terminals Similarly, a barcode reader BR and a printer RT are provided, but in addition to the purpose of use, the entire operation of the closed storage unit, that is, the book storage management system is managed.

  In other words, the system controller P2 includes a first setting unit U1 installed in the service station T1, a second setting unit U2 installed in the reference station T2, and a third setting unit installed in the work station S. U3, a measuring instrument J that is installed in the work station S and used as a measuring means for measuring the size of a book located at a measurement location described later, and is installed in the vicinity of the work station S, and the operating status of the transport means TP A monitoring terminal U4 used for monitoring the shelf, a shelf management controller U5 for managing the operation of the shelf R configured as a moving shelf including the stacker crane 2 and the traverser 3, and a transport for managing the operation of the transport means TP. A controller U6 is connected. The transfer controller U6 is composed of a number of controllers installed corresponding to the high-speed lifter 6 and the conveyors.

  Each of the first to third setting devices U1 to U3 includes a barcode reader CR that reads the barcode display BC of the container Y and the barcode display B of the book, and uses the barcode reader CR. The information for specifying the container Y for loading and unloading the book and the information for identifying the book for loading and unloading can be input.

  Further, the first setting device U1 and the second setting device U2 function as instruction means U1 and U2 provided in the reception unit K, and are “empty space designated warehousing” or “normal warehousing” described later. In the case of designation and designation of “empty space designated warehousing”, it is possible to instruct to carry out the container Y by designating the filling rate of the book, the size of the book, the size of the container, the number of containers, etc. In the case of “ordinary receipt”, the book identification data (book number) can be input.

  Then, the system controller P2, that is, the management means P, determines that the filling rate of the book is in accordance with the designation of “empty space designated warehousing” based on the instruction information of the first setting device U1 and the second setting device U2. Conveying means so that the size of the book to be stored is the specified size at the specified filling rate and the specified number of containers are carried out to the receiving unit K by the specified number. The empty space designation mode for controlling the TP transport operation is executed, and when “normal warehousing” is designated, the size of the book is obtained based on the inputted book identification data and the stored information. The transport operation of the transport means TP is controlled so that the size of the book to be stored is the size to store the book of the size that has been obtained and the container Y whose book filling rate is not full is transported to the receiving unit K. You It is configured to perform a normal goods receipt mode.

As shown in FIG. 13, the measuring instrument J includes a rectangular mounting table 30 used as a measurement position of a book, and an L-shaped positioning body 31 erected on the corner of the mounting table 30. , A thickness detection sensor 32 using an ultrasonic sensor or the like, and a width detection size detection sensor 33 and a height detection size detection sensor 34 using an ultrasonic sensor or the like. Then, by placing the book on the mounting table 30 with the corners of the book placed against the positioning body 31, the thickness detection sensor 32 measures the distance from its own installation position to the upper surface of the book. The size detection sensors 33 and 34 measure the width and height of the book by measuring the distance from the installation position to the side of the book. That is, the measuring instrument J is configured to measure the height, width, and thickness as the size of a book that is a rectangular parallelepiped article, and to input the measurement data to the system controller P2.
Here, for example, when a plurality of books managed as separate entities such as magazines are bound into one book, the size is measured by the measuring instrument J with the bound book as one book. Measurement data is input to the system controller P2.

  The system controller P2, that is, the management means P, sorts the data of each container Y (display data of the bar code display BC) and the identification data of the books stored in each container Y (display data of the bar code display B). ) And the size of each book (measurement data for height, width and thickness) and store them, and based on the stored information, manage the filling rate of the books in each container Y while sizing each book. It is configured so as to be separately sorted and stored in the container Y. When the magazine is bound, the system controller P2 manages the filling rate of the articles in each container Y based on the measurement data as one book.

Here, the measurement of the size, such as the thickness of a book, is basically performed for a book specified for management by the closed book storage management system among the books registered by the host controller P1. A book that first identifies the book to be measured, such as inputting the identification information of the book to be measured with the barcode reader CR, as described in “Initial Registration Work” below. After the number is input and the book to be measured is specified, the actual measurement is started.
In other words, the system controller P2 inputs the measurement data measured by the measuring instrument J in the state where the identification data (book number) of the book located on the mounting table 30 is inputted. The identification data (book number) and the measurement data are stored in association with each other.

Furthermore, since the two types of containers YL and YS having different dimensions are used, the system controller P2 manages the filling rate of the books in each container Y based on the size information of each container YL and YS. Is configured to do. In other words, taking the case of a normal book as an example, the large-sized container YL is a vertically placed form in which A4 and B5 books are arranged in two rows in a vertical posture (see FIG. 9 (b)). The filling rate is managed by the empty size obtained by subtracting the total thickness of the A4 and B5 books stored from the maximum storage size. In the small container YS, A4 or B5 books are arranged in a single row in a horizontal orientation (see FIG. 10A), or A5 or B6 books are arranged in two columns in a vertical orientation. Since it is one of the forms (see FIG. 10 (b)), if the stored book is A4 or B5, it is determined to be in landscape orientation, and if the stored book is A5 or B6, it is placed vertically. Judging by the form, the filling rate is managed by the empty size obtained by subtracting the total thickness of the A4 or B5 (or A5 or B6) books stored from the maximum storage size in the alignment direction in each case. .
Therefore, the system controller P2 manages the height, width, and thickness measured by the measuring instrument J as the size of the book, and in the “normal storage mode” described later, Based on the larger one, the container Y is selected according to the size of the books such as A4 and A5. Specifically, in the case of A4 size and B5 size, either the large container YL or the small container YS is selected, and in the case of A5 size or B6 size, the small container YS is selected.

Hereinafter, the operation of the book storage management system will be described.
As work of this system, there are "normal warehousing work" and "free space specified warehousing work" as warehousing work, "normal warehousing work" and "carpooling warehousing work" as warehousing work, As the work, there are work such as “refilling work”, “collection book checking work”, “relocation”, “initial registration work”, etc. Next, each work will be described.
In addition, selection of which of these work is performed is performed by setting each work mode in the first to third terminals 21 to 23 and the first to third setting devices U1 to U2. Although these operations can be performed at various places, in the following explanation, the place to be mainly executed is specified and explained.

[Normal goods receipt work]
The normal warehousing operation is mainly performed using the service counter K1, and as shown in FIG. 12, first, the bar code reader BR provided in the first terminal 21 of the service counter K1 returns it from the user. The barcode display body B of the returned book is read, and the identification information of the book to be returned, that is, the book number is input.
Next, the books to be returned are placed on the carriage D as necessary and transported to the service station T1. After “normal warehousing” is set by the first setting device U1, the barcode reader CR reads the barcode display body B of the returned book, and inputs the identification information of the book to be returned, that is, the book number. If there are multiple books, enter the book numbers of the multiple books in sequence. When you finish entering the book number, enter the settings.
In response to the input of this setting, the system controller P2 searches for a container Y that can be stored according to the set size of the book, and issues a work command to carry out the searched container Y to the service station T1 as a shelf management controller U5. Or the controller U6 for conveyance. Here, normally, for example, a small container YS in a position that can be carried out in a short time near the exit side of the shelf R (traverser 3 side in FIG. 6) is searched. Then, the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 operate to carry out the commanded container Y, and the target container Y is transported to the service station T1.
When the container Y arrives, identification information of the container Y is input by reading the barcode display BC of the container Y using the barcode reader CR. Then, the bar code display B of the book to be returned is read by the bar code reader CR, and after inputting that the book is stored in the container Y, the book is stored in the container Y. When all the books that can be stored in the container Y are stored, the completion is input.
As the completion is input, the system controller P2 instructs the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 to carry the container Y in which the books have been stored into the shelf R. Then, the shelf management controller U5 and the transfer controller U6 operate to carry the commanded container Y into the shelf R, and the target container Y is carried into the shelf R.
At this time, the system controller P2 determines whether or not the book for which warehousing has been instructed remains, and if it remains, searches the container Y for storing the remaining book in the same manner as described above. . Thereafter, the procedure is the same as described above.

[Incoming work with empty space specified]
This empty space designated warehousing work is similar to the above-described normal warehousing work, by reading the barcode display B of the returned book with the barcode reader BR provided in the first terminal of the service counter K1, and returning the book number of the book to be returned. Enter. Then, the book to be returned after input of the book number is loaded on the carriage D and transported to the service station T1 as necessary.
Next, after setting “empty space designated warehousing” with the first setting device U1, necessary items are subsequently input based on the contents displayed on the display screen of the first setting device U1 shown in FIG. . That is, the selection of the type of the container Y is input based on the size of the book to be received (that is, by selecting this container, the size of the book such as A4, A5, etc. and the container of the large container YL or the small container YS) Enter the desired empty space (book filling rate) and the required number of containers, and input the setting completion by operating the setting button. Here, as an empty space, in the case of a flat container, it can be selected in a range from an empty container to 30 cm, and in the case of a horizontal one-line container, it can be selected in a range from an empty container to 60 cm. In the case of, it can be selected within a range from an empty container to 60 cm.
Incidentally, on the display screen, the number of containers that currently exist corresponding to each space is displayed on the side of the space selection.

Along with the above input, the system controller P2 sets the container Y (that is, the book filling rate designated by the book filling rate and the size of the book to be stored designated by the designated size). The container Y) having the specified size is searched, and the shelf management controller U5 and the transfer controller U6 are instructed to carry out a work command to carry out the searched container Y to the service station T1. Transported to station T1. Here, when there are a plurality of containers Y that meet the above conditions, for example, a container Y near the outlet side (traverser 3 side) of the shelf R is searched.
When the container Y arrives, the identification information of the container Y is input by reading the barcode display BC of the container Y using the barcode reader CR as in the “normal warehousing operation”. Then, after reading the barcode display B of the book to be returned by the barcode reader CR, the book is stored in the container Y. When all the books that can be stored in the container Y are stored, the completion is input.
As the completion is input, the system controller P2 instructs the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 to carry out the work in order to load the container Y in which the books have been stored into the shelf R. It is carried into the shelf R.
At this time, the system controller P2 determines whether or not the commanded container Y remains, and if it remains, the system controller P2 searches for the remaining container Y in the same manner as described above. The same as above.

[Normal shipping work]
The normal delivery work is performed by delivering the above-mentioned rental request to the librarian at the service counter K1. The librarian sets “normal delivery” with the first setting device U1, and then inputs the book number described in the loan request. When there are a plurality of books, it goes without saying that the book numbers are input for all the books. Although not illustrated, as the book identification information is input, the book number and book name of the input book, the container Y identification information such as the container number for identifying the container for storing the book, In addition, the type of the book is displayed on the display screen of the first setting device U1.
When the input of the identification information of the book is completed, the setting is input.

Along with the input of the setting, the system controller P2 searches the storage position of the container Y that stores the input book, and sends a work command to carry out the searched container Y to the service station T1. The controller U6 is commanded. Then, the shelf controller U5 and the transport controller U6 operate to carry out the commanded container Y, and the target container Y is transported to the service station T1.
When the container Y arrives, identification information of the container Y is input by reading the barcode display BC of the container Y using the barcode reader CR. Along with the input, although not illustrated, the book number of the book to be taken out from the container Y and the book name are displayed on the display screen of the first setting device U1.
When the displayed book is taken out from the container Y and the barcode display B of the book is read by the barcode reader CR, the portion corresponding to the book from which the barcode has been read is displayed. It changes to a different color from other parts, such as red, and it is clearly indicated that the book has been taken out. At this time, the system controller P2, that is, the management means P stores the extracted book as a book that is being lent, in association with the identification data (book number) and the size of the book.

When the extraction of all books for the container Y is completed, completion is input. As the completion is input, the system controller P2 instructs the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 to carry the container Y, from which the books have been taken out, to the shelf R. It is carried in.
At this time, the system controller P2 determines whether or not the commanded container Y remains, and if it remains, the system controller P2 searches for the remaining container Y in the same manner as described above. The same as above.
When the librarian finishes taking out all the books described in the loan request, the librarian puts the loan request in one of the books. Then, if necessary, the retrieved book is placed on the carriage D and is carried to the service counter K1 and handed to the user.

[Carpooling work]
This carpooling work is a book returned from the user when performing the above-mentioned “normal delivery work”, and if there is a book that can be stored in the delivered container Y, it is stored in the container Y. The book is stored and received. In the above-mentioned “normal delivery operation”, when all the books for the container Y have been taken out, instead of “input completion” described above, “carpooling” It starts by setting “Receive”.
Then, in the same manner as the normal warehousing work, the carpooling warehousing operation is performed by reading the barcode display body B of the book to be warehousing with the barcode reader CR and confirming the book name displayed on the display screen while checking the container Y Storing books in When all books are stored, enter the settings.
As the setting is input, the system controller P2 instructs the shelf controller U5 and the transfer controller U6 to carry the work Y into the shelf R, and the container Y is placed on the shelf R. It is brought in.
At this time, the system controller P2 determines whether or not the container Y commanded for leaving remains, and if it remains, searches for the remaining container Y in the same manner as described above. The subsequent procedure is the same as described above.
When the librarian finishes taking out all the books described in the loan request, the librarian puts the loan request in one of the books. Then, if necessary, the taken out book is placed on the carriage D and carried to the service counter K1 and handed to the user.

[Refilling work]
This refilling operation is to refill the books so as to increase the filling rate of the containers Y by refilling the books in order to create an empty container Y, and is mainly performed at the work station S.
That is, after “refilling” is set by the third setting unit U3 provided in the work station S, the necessary items are subsequently determined based on the contents displayed on the display screen of the third setting unit U3 shown in FIG. Enter.
First, the delivery setting method is selected. As the delivery setting method, there are a delivery container number setting for designating the total number of containers Y to be delivered, and a created empty container number setting for designating the number of containers to be created by the refilling operation, and one of these is selected. Incidentally, in the case of setting the number of outgoing containers, the number of empty containers to be created is not known as a result of the refilling operation, but it is easy to grasp the work amount.
Next, the type of the container Y is selected, the number of containers is continuously input, and the setting is input. By the way, when the type of the container Y is selected, the entire state including the current filling rate of the type of the container Y is displayed, and it becomes a guideline for setting the number of containers. ing.

As the above setting is input, the system controller P2 searches the set container Y and sends a work command to carry out the searched container Y to the work station S to the shelf management controller U5 and the transfer controller U6. The designated container Y is transferred to the work station S.
When the container Y arrives, identification information of the container Y is input by reading the barcode display BC of the container Y using the barcode reader CR. With the input of this information, the book number and book name are displayed on the display screen of the third setting device U3 for all the books currently stored in the container Y.
The next operation is to take out the book to empty the container Y and to store the book in order to fill the container Y, and the removed book exists. Any of these can be arbitrarily selected. First, the take-out operation will be described.

The take-out operation is performed by inputting the identification information of the container Y and then taking out the book from the container Y and reading the barcode display B of the book with the barcode reader BR. Along with this reading, the portion of the book information displayed on the display screen corresponding to the book from which the barcode is read changes to a color different from other parts such as red, and is a taken out book. It is clearly shown.
After all the books are taken out from the container Y, as the setting is input, the system controller P2 causes the shelf management controller U5 to carry the containers Y that are empty after all the books are taken out into the shelf R. Then, the operation is instructed to the transfer controller U6, and the container Y is carried into the shelf R.
Subsequently, the system controller P2 searches for the container Y to be transported next to the work station S, and outputs a work command for carrying out the retrieved container Y to the work station S in the same manner as described above. U6 is commanded, and the commanded container Y is transported to the work station S.

In the storing operation, after inputting the identification information of the container Y described above, first, the third setting device U3 sets the warehousing. Subsequent to this warehousing setting, the bar code display BC of the container Y is read by the bar code reader CR, and the container Y for storing the book is determined. Next, the barcode display body B of the book to be stored is read by the barcode reader BR to determine the book to be stored, and then the book is stored in the container Y. In this manner, books are sequentially stored until the container Y is full, and when the container Y is full, completion is input.
As the completion is input, the system controller P2 instructs the shelf controller U5 and the transfer controller U6 to carry the work Y into the shelf R, and the container Y is placed on the shelf R. It is brought in.
At this time, the system controller P2 determines whether or not the container Y to be left remains, and if it remains, the system controller P2 searches for the remaining container Y in the same manner as described above. Same as above.

As described above, the refilling operation is basically performed according to the procedure of storing the books taken out by the taking-out operation in the container Y after the taking-out operation is executed.
Incidentally, in the present embodiment, because the shelf R is configured as a moving shelf, the container Y handled in this refilling operation has a lot of free space among the rack portions 1L and 1S of the shelf R. It is desirable to preferentially select a rack portion in which many containers Y are present, and to concentrate the containers Y in the rack portion so as to enter and exit the rack portion 1L and 1S. Among the containers Y to be stored, the container Y having no outgoing record is given priority over the container Y having the outgoing record, and the container Y with more empty space in each case where there is no or no outgoing record. In this embodiment, the system controller P2 selects the container Y to be delivered based on the above priority relationship.

[Collection inspection work]
This book inspection work is for inspecting whether or not the books stored in the container Y are as stored in the system controller P2, and are mainly performed at the work station S.
That is, after setting “collection check” in the third setting unit U3 provided in the work station S, the necessary items are subsequently determined based on the contents displayed on the display screen of the third setting unit U3 shown in FIG. Enter.
First, the type of the container Y is selected. Next, among the racks RL or RS corresponding to the type of the selected container Y, that is, the large container YL or the small container YS, the rack part 1L or 1S to be operated is selected and the container to be inspected. Enter the number from the numeric keypad, and finally enter the settings.
It should be noted that the rack numbers 1L and 1S of the racks RL and RS are assigned an isle number in the order of arrangement, and in FIG. 16, the isle numbers are displayed.

As the setting is input, the system controller P2 searches the set container Y and instructs the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 to issue a work command to carry out the searched container Y to the work station S. The commanded container Y is transferred to the work station S.
When the container Y arrives, identification information of the container Y is input by reading the barcode display BC of the container Y using the barcode reader CR. With the input of this information, the book number and book name are displayed on the display screen of the third setting device U3 for all the books currently stored in the container Y.
When this display is performed, all the books in the container Y are temporarily removed from the container Y by, for example, being transferred to the carriage D. When the removal is completed, this time, the barcode display body B of the removed book is read by the barcode reader CR, and after inputting the information for determining the book to be stored again, the book is stored in the container Y. become.
Along with the above reading, the part corresponding to the book whose barcode is read out of the book information displayed on the display screen changes to a different color from other parts such as red, and has been stored before. It is clearly indicated that the book is stored again. Therefore, if the display does not change even when the barcode is read, the system controller P2 is a book that does not properly manage the storage of the book. As a process for such a book, the third setting device U3 instructs to enter the goods and stores it in the container Y, or sets the deletion to be processed separately.

In this way, an operation of storing all the books taken out from the container Y in the container Y is performed. When all the books are stored, all of the book information displayed on the display screen should change to a different color from other parts such as red, but there is a part of the book that does not change. There is also a case. In such a case, the system controller P2 is information on a book that is stored as being stored as a book that is not stored in the container Y, and the deletion is set. That is, the third setting device U3 functions as command means for instructing deletion of the book managed by the system controller P2 (management means P) (specifically, it is deleted on the display screen of the third setting device U3). When the system controller P2 is instructed to delete a book by the third setter U3, the system controller P2 is configured to erase all of the stored information relating to the book.
When completion is input along with the completion of the work for one container Y, the system controller P2 instructs the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 to carry the container Y whose collection inspection has been completed to the shelf R. Then, the container Y is carried into the shelf R.
At this time, the system controller P2 determines whether or not the next container Y to be transported remains in the work station S, and if it remains, searches for the next container Y and searches in the same manner as described above. A work command for unloading the container Y to the work station S is sent to the shelf management controller U5 and the transfer controller U6, and the commanded container Y is carried to the work station S. The subsequent procedure is the same as described above.

[Relocation]
This relocation work is intended to rearrange the containers Y that have not been put in and out in the set period such as six months or one year on the back side of the shelf R. When “relocation” is set from the 3-setting device U3, the rearrangement work is started.
That is, the system controller P2 searches for a container Y that has not been delivered within the set period and a position in the shelf in which the container Y is stored based on the delivery record of the container Y that is stored and managed. Next, among the containers Y located on the back side of the shelf R with respect to the container Y without the delivery record, the container Y with the delivery record is searched, and the container Y with the delivery record is placed in the shelf R. It moves to the temporary storage part provided beforehand. And the container Y without the delivery record was stored in the storage part 4 in which the container Y with the delivery record was stored, and the container Y without the delivery record was stored last. Store in the storage unit 4.
The container Y is rearranged by the above procedure.

[Initial registration work]
As described above, this initial registration work is performed for books designated for management in the closed book storage management system among the books registered by the host controller P1, It is mainly executed at the work station S.
That is, when “initial registration” is set from the third setting device U3 of the work station S, the initial registration work is started and displayed on the display screen of the third setting device U3 shown in FIG. Based on the contents, the work is advanced while inputting necessary items.
The display screen shown in FIG. 17 displays “book information to be registered” communicated from the host controller P1 to the third setting unit U3 via the system controller P2. In addition, as described in the description of the fourth terminal 24, a book to be registered is placed on the carriage D and conveyed to the work station S in advance.
An operator inputs information on a book to be registered. In this input method, a book to be registered is directly selected from the display screen by clicking the mouse, etc., the barcode display B of the book to be registered is read with the barcode reader CR, or the book number of the book is set. This is done by either using the numeric keypad on the display screen.
As the book to be registered is selected, the part corresponding to the selected book in the displayed book information displayed on the display screen changes to the highlighted state, and the book is selected. You can see that it was done correctly.

Next, the book to be registered is set at the measurement location of the measuring instrument J, and the start of measurement by the measuring instrument J is instructed using the size reading button on the display screen. When the measurement by the measuring instrument J is completed, the measurement result and the registration date are displayed. That is, the height, width, and thickness of the book are displayed, the registration date is displayed, and the book type (A4, B5, etc.) obtained from the height and width is also displayed.
By the way, when the measurement fails, the registered data can be corrected by specifying the display screen size input / change.
In this way, the book registration is sequentially performed, and when the book registration is finished, the completion of the setting of the display screen is designated.

As the setting completion is input, the system controller P2 searches the container Y that stores the registered books, and sends a work command to carry out the searched container Y to the work station S. The controller U6 is commanded. Then, the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 operate to carry out the commanded container Y, and the target container Y is transported to the work station S.
When the container Y arrives, identification information of the container Y is input by reading the barcode display BC of the container Y using the barcode reader CR. Then, the barcode display body B of the book stored in the container Y is read by the barcode reader CR, and after inputting that the book is stored in the container Y, the book is stored in the container Y. When all the books that can be stored in the container Y are stored, the completion is input.

As the completion is input, the system controller P2 instructs the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 to carry the container Y in which the books have been stored into the shelf R. Then, the shelf management controller U5 and the transfer controller U6 operate to carry the commanded container Y into the shelf R, and the target container Y is carried into the shelf R.
At this time, the system controller P2 determines whether or not a book that has been initially registered and before warehousing, that is, a book that needs warehousing, and if it remains, the container Y that stores the remaining book. Will be searched in the same manner as described above. Thereafter, the procedure is the same as described above.
As described above, the system controller P2 specifies the container Y to be transported to the work station S based on the input information from the measuring instrument J, and performs the transport of the container Y between the shelf R and the work station S. It is configured.

[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, other embodiments will be listed.
In the above embodiment, the instruction means U1, U2 of the reception unit K can specify the filling rate of the article, the type of container, the number of containers, and the like to instruct the carry-out of the container Y. It is not always necessary to specify all these items, and various forms are possible. Here are some examples.
a) In addition to the filling rate of the article, the container type may be specified together.
Further, in order to designate the filling rate (empty space) of the article, it is possible to designate not the length (cm) but the ratio (%) to the maximum size that can be stored in the selected container Y. In this case, it is convenient to place a scale indicating the ratio (%) on the side surface of the shelf on which the articles (books) of the cart D are arranged.

  In the above embodiment, the designation unit U1, U2 of the reception unit K is instructed to designate “free space designated warehousing” or “normal warehousing”. In a system that does not perform “normal warehousing” only by “designated warehousing work”, the above designation is not necessary.

  In the above embodiment, in the case of “entry work”, the article is placed in the container Y carried out from the shelf R based on the instruction from the reception unit K. In addition to this, the time for carrying out the container is omitted. For this purpose, the articles stored in the container Y previously carried out by the reception unit K may be sequentially stored and carried into the shelf R when the amount is full.

In the case where a plurality of types of containers Y having different sizes are provided, three or more types may be used instead of two types, or conversely, one type may be used.
Further, as another form of the container Y, a large container for transport can store a plurality of sub-containers, and the sub-container can store articles to be managed (books, etc.). Good.

In the above-described embodiment, the storage unit 40 for each container is provided on the shelf R side in correspondence with each of the containers having different dimensions. However, in order to simplify the shelf, containers having different dimensions are provided in the same storage unit. You may make it accommodate.
In the above-described embodiment, the shelf R is configured in a movable rack type in which the juxtaposed rack portions are moved in the alignment direction to form a path for the stacker crane 2, but the path for the stacker crane 2 is provided for each rack part. It may be a fixed rack type that is fixedly formed. Further, a rotating rack type in which the rack portion of the shelf is rotated up and down or horizontally and moved to the article loading / unloading portion at a fixed position may be used.
In the above embodiment, each container 40 of the shelf R stores one container Y, and the stacker crane 2 is provided with a single-type fork for container transfer. While storing two containers Y side by side in the depth direction of each storage unit 40, a double-type fork capable of transferring two containers on the near side and the back side may be provided on the stacker crane 2 side. .

  In the said embodiment, in order to display the classification data of each container Y and the identification data of each article | item, barcode display body BC, B is provided in each container Y or each article | item, and the barcode display body BC, B is displayed. The barcode reader CR, BR is used for reading, but instead of barcode, an IC chip (IC card) type display body is provided in each container Y or each article, and the display information is read by communication. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, each article is sorted according to size and stored in the container Y, and the storage position of each container Y on the shelf R is appropriately changed. Alternatively, a fixed location type storage form that fixes the storage position of each article on the shelf R may be used.

Perspective view showing the whole book storage management system Plan view showing a part of the reception unit Perspective view showing the entire reception unit Plan view showing a part of another reception unit The perspective view which shows the whole another reception part Top view showing shelves and work station Perspective view showing the work station Plan view showing shelves and transport means The perspective view which shows the storage form of a container The perspective view which shows the storage form of another container Front view of shelf storage Block diagram of control configuration The perspective view which shows the measurement state of a measurement means Figure showing the display screen Figure showing the display screen Figure showing the display screen Figure showing the display screen

Explanation of symbols

K reception part P management means R shelf RL storage part RS storage part TP transport means U1, U2 instruction means U3 command means Y container

Claims (9)

A transport means for transporting a container for storing a plurality of books between a reception unit that accepts rental return of books and a shelf for storing a plurality of the containers;
Management means is provided for managing the lending and returning of books by executing the transport operation of the transport means while managing the storage position of each container stored in the shelf and the filling rate of the books of each container. A library storage management system,
The book is a rectangular parallelepiped,
The container has at least one type of container of the same size , and the container has a plurality of types having different forms for storing books ,
The instruction means provided in the reception unit is configured to generate instruction information , specify a filling rate of a book and a container type, and instruct to carry out the container,
It said management means, while in accordance with the type of container to manage the filling of each container of books, based on the instruction information of the instruction means, a filling factor of the filling factor is specified books, and the container A book storage management system configured to control a transport operation of the transport means so that a container of a specified type is transported to the receiving unit. 2. The book storage management system according to claim 1, wherein the container type includes a type in which books are stored in a vertically placed form in which the books are arranged vertically and a type in which books are stored in a horizontally placed form in which books are stacked one after another. There are two types of containers: a type in which books are stored in a vertical configuration in which the books are arranged vertically, a type in which books are stored in a flat configuration in which the books are sequentially stacked, and a type in which books are stored in a horizontal configuration in which the books are arranged in a horizontal orientation. The book storage management system according to claim 1. The book storage management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the container of a type storing books in a vertically placed form stores books arranged in two rows in a vertical posture. The container includes a large container and a small container having a smaller size than the large container,
The type of the container, and the type of housing in vertical form arranged in two rows in a vertical orientation books on the large container, and the type of housing in flat form sequentially stacked books on the large vessel, before Symbol small type A type in which books are stored in a vertically placed form in a container, a type in which books are placed in a flatly placed form in the small container, and a horizontally placed form in which books are placed in a single row in a horizontal orientation in the small container. There is a type to do,
The small container library storage management system of claim 1, wherein the type of housing in the vertical form books on the type and the large container for packing in the horizontal form books is intended for accommodating the book of the same size . Vertical The said container placed type housing in the form a library of claim 4 or 5, wherein partition so as to be positioned between the books column is set to the center of the container arranged in two rows books in vertical orientation Storage management system. The management means stores the classification data of each container, the identification data of the book stored in each container, and the size of each book in association with each other, and based on the stored information, the filling rate of the book of each container Each book is managed to be stored in a container of a type corresponding to its size, and the identification data of the book being lent and the size of the book are stored in association with each other. ,
In the case of designation of vacant space designation warehousing or normal warehousing, and designation of vacant space designation warehousing by the instruction means of the reception unit, the filling rate of the book and the container type are designated and It can be instructed to carry out, and in the case of normal warehousing, it is configured so that the identification data of the book can be input,
The management means is based on the instruction information of the instruction means,
When the empty space designated warehousing is designated, the filling rate of the book is the designated filling rate, and the container type is the designated type, so that the container is carried out to the reception unit. Execute an empty space designated warehousing mode for controlling the transport operation of the transport means,
When the normal goods receipt is specified, seeking sizes of books on the basis of the inputted identification data and storing information, a container of the type for storing the books the determined size, and filling of the book The book storage as described in any one of Claims 1-6 comprised so that the normal warehousing mode which controls the action | operation of the said conveyance means may be performed so that the container which is not full may be carried out to the said reception part. Management system. The management means manages the height, width, and thickness as the size of the book , and in the normal warehousing mode, the container type based on the larger of the height and width of the book The book storage management system according to claim 7, wherein the book storage management system is configured to execute selection of When there are a plurality of the designated containers based on the instruction information of the instruction means, the management means is configured to move the container near the outlet side of the shelf to the reception unit. The book storage management system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the book storage management system is configured to control a transport operation.

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